NASS Begins Public Hearing On Electoral Act Amendments

As part of the effort to create an atmosphere and condition conducive for better electoral processes and conduct of credible and fair elections, the National Assembly has begun the process of amending the Electoral Act Amendment.

The electoral act amendment deliberation is one of the agenda in the ongoing one day public hearing being held by the joint Senate Committee on Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the House Committee on Electoral Matters.

Ekohotblog reports that the public hearing will critical and holistically examine the 2010 Electoral Act with a view to tinkering with some of its aspects.

Sources from Civil Society Groups disclosed that top of its demand  will be that candidates vying for elective and public offices must be graduates. Currently, the minimum requirement for anyone contesting for public office is West African Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (WASSCE) or its equivalent.

Also Read: Buhari Needs to Sign The Amended Electoral Act Into Law Before Edo Governorship Election

The groups said it would also demand that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) must forthright in handling the processes of elections more transparently and credibly than it is at the moment.

The Electoral Act was amended by the 8th Senate but the President Muhammadu Buhari didn’t assent to it.